New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-06
JEFFERSON AND HIS SIMPLICITY"
REFLECTIONS AS TO JUST PRECISELY HOW SAFE
SIMPLICITY WAS MANIFESTED.

REFLECTIONS As TO JUST PRECISELY now SAID
SIMPLICITY WAS MANIFESTED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: I write TO ask the Editor OF THE TRIBUNE 10
be good enough to let know what in
debted for the term Jencrsonan simplicity, aud jus
what II means Two recent articles in two popular
magazines have at least rendered 1t somewhat am
bguous IL they do not dispe the hitherto generally
cepted idea that society during the Administration OF
Thomas Jefferson influenced by him. we presume, was
very plain in its tastes diversions indeed. Girls
in Scr5ner's would indicate that
society quite as luxurious and frivolous from 1so1
to 1860 Il Is today and stu less democratic. ahis
month we read very interesting article in The Century
on Monticello, where Thomas Jefferson himself would
to be OF the most elegant fellows OF his time
His hall as depicted is simply baroDal. ard with the
addition OF imposing grand staircase might with
admirable be copied In glorined colonial
architecture The ballroom in the broad cupoa IL n
splendid scheme, and the elevations which little
depreciaed In the article nevertheless. II the cnts
faithful representations not bad In design at all
grounds Such grounds as they must have been
when unremittng was bestowed upon them, when
the peacocks with fuledged tails that we see IN the
cuts srutted about the walks In reality, dear incomes
mind revers visions Of the gardens of Louis Quatorzc
should like 20 add that think il Is rather difficult 10
understand Mr. Jcfersons life read 1t here. First
we are introduced his father pioneer of the wilder
ness, who dies when Thomas Is boy Nothing Is said
OF the widow but contrary to the usual course OF crcum
stances ia times, economy Is necessary anu
things 20 on as swimmingly They entertain 80
much that asks his guardian to send him to COL
eee to escape the dissipation at home. Shortly after
ward the income estimated at $1,000 per
annun and there quite family we must Infer
that they were all rich in their own name exclusive OF
land disappointing not TO know why his courtshp
of Miss Burnell was unsuccessful should think he
would have been the biggest kind OF catch After
Sha owel the old homestead, burns down. he begins
Monticello which he enlarges from time TO time as his
mind expands In a very different direction from sim
pcity though II Is said that the full grandeur OF his
plaus was never executed. After becoming President
The Capital having been removed from Philadelphia 10
Washington. Mr. Jefferson finds himself within tnree
DAYS ride Of Monticello Aud, long has he been MIN.
lister Plenipoeuary at Paris and then Secretary OF
State Philadelphia Il To him like living 81 home
once more From Washington he directs the cultivation
OF his vast domain manufacturing many useful ana
salable articles through the agency OF his numerous
Inent while President T20O000 and yet, not many
after bis retirement according TO tho account he
Is Obliged 10 pay paltry $4,000 on a note ne mas
tndorsed and notwithstanding Monticello anu It's nc
complaining estates his salary savings which, consider
ing our notion of the times, ought " have been some
thing besides what other property he had inherited or
ulated, he IL made penness Further on III the
story by hard work OIL cvery cent OF
their fathers Indebtedness In these selfish days II
debts but that they should live lives Of abnesaton In
order TO qudate the debts OF ancestor awakcns our
unqualified pity especially when to that ancestor we are
all indebted for our Declaration OF Independence.
JOY WHEELER Dow.
Wyon,ing, ". j., Sept. II, 1887